Recommending ~ Israel: The Royal Tour

With the time change, the evenings are seemingly longer, so to pass a little time yesterday evening, we decided to watch Israel: The Royal Tour on Amazon Prime. We have some friends who recently toured Israel, so this DVD caught our interest. It's a tour with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, hosted by Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor of CBS News.

It was a delightful look at Israel through the eyes of their leader, with some fun antics along the way, like playing soccer with Prime minister Netanyahu, rafting the Jordan River, and floating in the Dead Sea. Historic sites, religious monuments, modern tourist attractions, and a brief discussion about their state of affairs all gave me a greater appreciation for the nation of Israel and their love for their country. I highly recommend its viewing.

It can also be viewed on Netflix or YouTube. 60 minutes

Sunday Ponderings ~ Don't Be As One of Them

I had mentioned in an earlier post that I'm taking a class at church on the Minor Prophets. This week we studied Obadiah and his warning against Edom (descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob) for aiding those who wanted to destroy Israel. Edom, instead, was itself destroyed.

The prophecy is a warning to other nations as well, not to be aloof to Israel's needs, not to gloat over their misfortunes, or to bring violence to that country. I believe the warning carries even into our present time. The prophecy says not to be as one of them. This is why I think that it's important for America to stand with Israel. So thankful that our current president has turned America's stance back in support of that nation. Otherwise, I believe our doom would be sealed.

From Obadiah 8-14

“Will I not on that day,” declares the Lord,  

     “Destroy wise men from Edom," .... 

"Because of violence to your brother Jacob, 

     You will be covered with shame, 

     And you will be cut off forever.

“On the day that you stood aloof, 

     On the day that strangers carried off his wealth, 

     And foreigners entered his gate 

     And cast lots for Jerusalem— 

     You too were as one of them.

“Do not gloat over your brother’s day, 

     The day of his misfortune. 

     And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah 

     In the day of their destruction; 

     Yes, do not boast In the day of their distress.

“Do not enter the gate of My people 

     In the day of their disaster. 

     Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity 

     In the day of their disaster. 

     And do not loot their wealth 

     In the day of their disaster.

“Do not stand at the fork of the road 

     To cut down their fugitives; 

     And do not imprison their survivors
     In the day of their distress.

“For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations. 

     As you have done, it will be done to you.
     Your dealings will return on your own head."

Painting ~ A Quiet Read, William K. Blacklock 1872-1924